It was a great week for adoptions of some special dogs at Willamette Humane Society. There were fourteen dog adoptions, six of them were Blog Dogs, all of whom needed a particular type of new home. The fact that they all found just the right people to adopt them all in the same week is surprising and wonderful.

Devi needed a place where the people are home most of the time and do not live in an apartment. She was adopted once and returned, then this couple arrived on Sunday. They work from home and are Devi’s perfect fit! Can you tell she’s a very happy dog?

Stormy and Odie were both eight-year-old seniors looking for retirement homes and both found their perfect matches!

Hemi, our gentle giant, needed a family wanting a huge, sweet boy. He will need a home with a lot of space and he found it.

Sebastian, our extremely shy youngster, who would “pancake” on the floor if he found himself anywhere new, needed people who had the patience and understanding to build his confidence. He found them.

And Opie…our sweet lug of a dog who has been waiting for his perfect fit of a family since last June is now finally in his forever home. And it won’t take him any time to adjust to his new peeps, dog siblings, or surroundings. Why? Because after spending the last four months as a foster dog in volunteer Sherrie’s home while recovering from knee surgery, Opie managed to make himself indispensable, and Sherrie had no choice but to adopt him herself!

So on Sunday afternoon, Opie hung out with Caitlin and Daniel while waiting for the paperwork to get finished inside.

Then it was official! There were flowers, a gift from Opie himself to Sherrie, and lots of hugs and happy smiles.

Marianne and Caitlin were there to congratulate Opie.

I’m enjoying my time at Field of Dreams, but I can’t wait for a home of my own!

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a drive in the country, and volunteers Linda, Karla, and I headed to Field of Dreams Training Kennel to visit Lola, one of our shelter dogs who is currently at the facility to work on her dog reactivity. She was excited to see Linda, who has worked with her a lot at WHS.

Lola is a one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who arrived at the shelter in December as a stray. She is a very people-friendly dog, happy to greet everyone and eager to please. She is house-trained and loves to play fetch. She went to foster at Field of Dreams so she could work on better interactions meeting other dogs. Lola can be a bit over the top in her greetings with dogs and is learning to be calmer at first meet. Sarah, one of the trainers at Field of Dreams has taken Lola on overnight respites at her house and said that Lola has done very well with her dogs. Lola is looking for an active family with older children (13+). She will be a devoted and affectionate girl to the right family. Here are some pictures from our visit with her.

She loves Sarah’s scratching!

Happy girl with Linda.

Lola loved the attention Karla and Linda gave her.

I’m new here, I’m looking for a special home. I’ll work hard if you will help me!

Gemini is a one-year-old Siberian Husky mix who arrived at the shelter as a stray. He is a bit of a “project” dog for just the right person. Gemini has never had the chance to learn how to walk politely on leash, can be mouthy, and needs to be taught how to share toys and food. Because of these issues, Gemini needs to go to an experienced adult-only home. But oh, what a clown this youngster can be! He loves people and other dogs. He’s a rough and rowdy participant in playgroup, so could live happily with another dog with his play style. Because he needs some manners work, his adoption comes with a pre-adopt consultation with our behavior specialist and two classes:Dog Smart and Check In and Chill Out. This boy is well worth the time and effort needed to become a great companion. He is Volunteer Caitlin’s current favorite.

Caroline’s Pick of the Week!

This sweet girl is Gypsy, a ten-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix who has won the hearts of many of us at the shelter, including Caroline’s. Gypsy arrived at WHS with her son (who will be featured next). She has been an outdoor dog her whole life and can’t wait to spend her retirement years as an indoor/outdoor dog. Gypsy walks well on leash, takes treats gently, and is a quiet soul. She will need some help in house-training, but promises to be a quick learner. She has lived well with other dogs, kids and (drum roll) cats!

Last week, some innovative Sprague High School students featured Gypsy in a wonderful video for a class project. Here it is:

We’re hoping Gypsy will soon be enjoying her retirement inside with a forever family.

I’m a little shy, but I will be your best dog EVER!

Guiseppe is an eight-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix and is Gypsy’s son. He has improved so much since his arrival at the shelter. He was extremely shy and only wanted to be with his mother for moral support. But today this boy was full of smiles and was eager to spend some time with Marianne.

Like his mother, Guiseppe has been an outdoor dog only and is not house-trained. But he is eager to learn how to be an indoor dog. He would love to live with a dog who would help build his confidence about the world. He has lived with other dogs, done great with children and even cats. He takes treats politely and would like to be your lap dog. We’re hoping this big love bug will soon be with his new peeps.

Marianne and I decided to take Gypsy and Guiseppe out together to enjoy the sunshine after all the dogs had been walked. Guiseppe was thrilled to be with his mom, but Gypsy feels that it’s time the boy grows up. 🙂

I’m a really nice dog. Just ask anyone who’s met me!

I met Raleigh for the first time this afternoon and what a delightful girl she is! Raleigh is a six-year-old Lab/Husky mix. She scored so well on her behavior assessment that she was approved for a family with children five and up. She has lived well with other dogs of all sizes, kids and even cats! In recent years she has been an outdoor dog only, so she might need a little brush-up on her indoor manners and house-training, but it’ll be a breeze, she promises. Raleigh will need exercise and would love to go for hikes and long walks with her new family. Sandra had a great time with her today.

Yes, I can smile!

I was thrilled on Sunday when Carmen actually smiled for the first time!

Carmen is a five-year-old American Bull Dog mix who came to us from another shelter. She is very shy when she first meets a new person, so will need a family with older children (eight and up) who will give her the space and time she needs to feel comfortable in a new home with new people. When she feels secure, she is calm and gentle. Diane stopped by to see her smile, too!

And then she did this!

Carmen was adopted once, but it was quickly discovered that she can’t live with a cat. The adopter said she was perfect in every other way.

Daniel’s Pick of the Week!

Daniel had no trouble picking his favorite on Sunday. Clancy is a one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who was found as a stray. He is an energetic sixty-six pounds and LOVES all treats. He is smart, eager to learn new things and is a quick study. Daniel reported that he walked well on leash and was good about paying attention to him. Because of his size, older children (10+) would be best for him in his new home. Clancy is eager to play rough and rowdy with other dogs, but should meet any new canine he’ll be living with. He knows some commands and is going to make someone a wonderful companion. He even was willing to smile with a cone on! What a guy!

Jax, here. Still waiting for my perfect home!

Laslo spent some happy time with Jax on Sunday. If you read my blog weekly, you know Jax well. Jax is a one-year-old Kelpie mix looking for a home with a woman and a dog pal. It takes him time to warm up to a new person and we’ve been working with him to increase his confidence. He has improved enough that we believe, in the right home, Jax will flourish. His adoption package includes weekly coaching appointments along with his person to help ensure his continued progress in social skills. As you can see, Laslo is one of Jax’s favorite volunteers.

I want to be your one and only!

June Bug is a seven-year-old Lab mix who is looking for a home where she can be the only pet. She doesn’t care for other dogs or cats, but loves people. She was at WHS as a puppy, was adopted, and came back to us through another shelter, so we don’t know what her life has been in the meantime. She is a bit timid at first meeting, but warms up quickly, takes treats nicely and is food-motivated. She knows several commands and likes to please. June Bug is house-trained and ready to go to her forever home. Marianne and Caitlin love spending time with this gal who smiled when I asked and didn’t mind my taking pictures in the least.

Update!

Styx/Bailey

A few days ago, I was taking a walk in my neighborhood when I saw a woman out with her little dog. Being the dog person that I am, I had to stop and ask about the pup. I was thrilled when it turned out to be little Styx who was adopted from WHS in December. Here was the picture I took of her then.

And here she is, now, a very happy youngster! I’ve been promised an update soon!

That’s it for this week!

Remember, if you see a dog on my blog whom you are interested in meeting, try to make arrangements to get to the Willamette Humane Society soon. Some dogs are adopted more quickly than you might think.